Man jailed after Tesco thefts and assaults in Wrexham

Shaun Royce, who confirmed he is currently of no fixed abode, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old admitted two offences of assaulting a police officer, one of theft from a shop and one of using threatening words or behaviour.

He'd previously admitted further offences including one theft from shop and assault emergency worker, namely a hospital worker.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson took the court through the offences in chronological order.

The first matter occurred on the evening of February 22 this year, when CCTV operators asked for police assistance due to a fight in Wrexham High Street.

Royce, formerly of Dinas in Acrefair, was seen on the footage being assaulted - which he responded to by throwing his arms around, trying to strike another male.

He was found a short distance away by police and made no comment in interview.

The second incident came to light on March 5, when staff at Tesco in Wrexham reviewed CCTV footage and spotted Royce taking Comfort and Unstoppables from the household aisle and leaving without paying them.

He returned to the store on March 26 and took four bottles of whiskey worth £144.

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On April 19, police were called to a disturbance at an address in Acrefair, where numerous people had been drinking and a guitar had been smashed.

Royce was there when the officers arrived, and was "clearly intoxicated."

He became aggressive and made various threats, including to kill the officers - who had to draw tasers and 'red dot' him in an attempt to gain control of the situation.

But Royce ran, leading to a chase around the Plas Madoc estate shortly after 1am.

He was eventually taken to the ground, but ended upon top of one of the officers - whom he punched with force to the side of the head.

When that same officer was searching the defendant, he said: "Don't go in my pockets or I'll bang you."

Shaun Royce (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) Making good on the threat, Royce headbutted the officer in the face, leaving a lump.

Finally, on May 23, Royce was at Wrexham Maelor A&E and was becoming "verbally abusive" to other members of the public in the waiting room.

He was spoken to by a member of security about his behaviour, and initially apologised.

But some 10 minutes later he was stood out in the car park arguing with another man.

The security officer approached and attempted to diffuse the situation.

Royce called him a "d*** head and a c***" and spat at the officer, which landed on his face and shoulder.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court: "The background is that he had been trying to get himself sectioned under the mental health act.

"It's been a continuing theme for him and his family.

"He has instructed me today that he doesn't wish for a pre-sentence report, but he does want to be sentenced.

"He wishes for a custodial sentence as he is very concerned about his deteriorating mental health."

District Judge Gwyn Jones handed down an overall custodial term of 26 weeks.